to have existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to have existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in philosophical or existential discussions to refer to the state of being or living. Example: "In order for an idea to have existence, it must be recognized and accepted by others."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Of course, such dependence is, in itself, counterintuitive, given that we generally take the physical world to have existence independent of minds.

SEP

If omnipresence means, not simply that God is cognisant of or active in all places, but literally that he exists everywhere, then it is hard to see how any finite being can be said to have existence external to God.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The nonidentity problem focuses on the obligations we think we have in respect of people who, by our own acts, are caused both to exist and to have existences that are, though worth having, unavoidably flawed – existences, that is, that are flawed if those people are ever to have them at all.

SEP

That's not to say — it has existence in all workloads, but it's really strong in three — HPC, Web, and security.

TechCrunch

"They have to work harder to have an existence that's above the minimum".

The New York Times - Arts

None of the three main characters seem to have much existence of their own.

The New York Times - Books

The Shrimp Boat kids had come to Disney, where bubble gum has been outlawed for its crimes against clean sidewalks, to have their existence widely acknowledged.

The New Yorker

It's just more meaningful to have your existence registered by a fellow pulse-carrier.

TechCrunch

In case, we provide necessary conditions on the parameter to have the existence of nontrivial solutions satisfying suitable integrability properties.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

If we are to be acquainted with propositions we have to take their elements, i.e., concepts, to have independent existence (because of assumption a).

SEP

These properties, sometimes called "thisnesses" or "individual essences", are typically thought to have the existence of the relevant individuals as a necessary and sufficient condition for their instantiation.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to have existence" when you want to emphasize the act of possessing or experiencing being, rather than simply stating that something exists. It's suitable for philosophical or abstract discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "to have existence" in sentences where "to exist" would suffice. Simpler phrasing often leads to clearer communication. For example, instead of "Does God to have existence?", use "Does God exist?"

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to have existence" is as part of an infinitive phrase, often acting as a complement to a verb. As Ludwig AI suggests, this construction usually appears in contexts where the possession or quality of being is emphasized rather than simply stating existence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to have existence" is grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing, especially in philosophical or abstract contexts, according to Ludwig. However, it's a relatively rare construction, as simpler alternatives like "to exist" often suffice. Its purpose is to emphasize the possession or quality of being, and it typically appears in formal and scientific registers. When using this phrase, consider whether a more direct phrasing might improve clarity. Ludwig's analysis shows that while correct, its specific use case demands careful consideration of context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in existence

Highlights the state of currently existing.

to come into being

Focuses on the moment of origination or creation.

to have reality

Focuses on the realness or tangibility of existence.

to possess being

Emphasizes the ownership or inherent quality of existence.

to have actuality

Replaces "existence" with a more formal term, implying a realized state.

to continue to exist

Emphasizes the continuation of existence over time.

to subsist

Highlights the act of maintaining existence, often under difficult conditions.

to enjoy life

Shifts the focus from mere existence to the quality and experience of life.

to live and breathe

Emphasizes the vitality and active nature of existence.

to be alive

Focuses on the characteristic of living organisms.

FAQs

What does "to have existence" mean?

The phrase "to have existence" refers to the state of being or existing. It emphasizes the possession of being, often used in philosophical or existential contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "to have existence" in writing?

It's appropriate in formal or philosophical writing where you want to emphasize the act of possessing existence, rather than a simple statement of being. Consider if "to exist" is a clearer alternative.

What are some alternatives to "to have existence"?

Alternatives include "to exist", "to be", or "to come into being", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to have existence" more formal than "to exist"?

Yes, "to have existence" is generally more formal and often used in philosophical or academic contexts, whereas "to exist" is a more common and versatile term.